Deep-fried candy to Cheetos pizza: We ranked 5 Arizona State Fair foods from worst to best

A packing list for those planning to go to the Arizona State Fair drive-thru food event: water, a car with functioning air conditioning, a full tank of gas and patience.

This event is not for those who only sort of like carnival goodies. You need to really be committed to your love of pizza, funnel cake and corn dogs for the wait for be worth it.

On day one of the Arizona State Fair drive-thru food event, people were ready and waiting at the fairgrounds when the gates opened at noon.

Any illusions that this event would not be completely packed were immediately shattered when I arrived at 12:15 p.m. The line of cars snaked around the parking lot and stretched all the way to the entry point on Monte Vista Road and 19th Avenue.

Around 12:30 p.m., a passenger in the vehicle in front of me jumped out of the car, exasperated, likely realizing she was in for a long, sweaty wait in the midday sun. After a few minutes, a state fair employee helped them escape the line and they floored it to the exit, but most people seemed more than ready to wait for their treats.

How does the fair food drive-thru work?

Hundreds lines up in their vehicles, waiting over an hour, during the opening of the Arizona State Fair drive-thru fair food event. Arizona Republic

It took about an hour and 15 minutes after entering the gates to get to the beginning of the food line. At this point, attendees enter a loop of cars moving at a crawl, and can choose to stop at a vendor or bypass it and go to the next one.

There is no way to avoid going through the entire loop though, so you might as well kickback and get as much food as possible to make your wait time worth it. The employees managing traffic at this event deserve applause because they did an incredible job organizing the line of cars in 100 degree heat.

It took a little over an hour to get through the entire drive-thru loop while stopping for items at five different vendors. There are nine to choose from including:

Enzo's Pizza serving pizza, wings and cannoli.
Kettle Corn.
Fried A Fair serving deep-fried Oreos, snickers, cookie dough and more.
The Ranch serving giant turkey legs, pork chop on a stick and BBQ.
Teepee Village Frybread serving Indian tacos and more.
Sweet Dreams serving cotton candy, caramel apples, popcorn and slushies.
Dutchmen's Funnel Cake serving funnel cakes and churros.
Mustard's Cafe serving corn dogs, nachos and fries.
Totally Baked Cookie Joint serving cookies, ice cream sandwiches and frozen lemonade.

The full menu is available on the state fair website: azstatefair.com/drivethrufairfood/

5 Arizona State fair foods from worst to best

This ranking is not comprehensive and represents a combination of sweet and savory items from five of the drive-thru vendors. This year, its mostly old standards that are available instead of the wild and wacky fair food of years past.

5. Bacon-wrapped corn dog

A Bacon-Wrapped Corn Dog from Mustard's Cafe at the Arizona State Fair food drive-thru event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix on Sept. 25, 2020. Hundreds of cars were lined up, waiting over an hour get their favorite fair food. The event runs Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4, from noon-9 p.m.

(Photo: David Wallace/The Republic)

While corn dogs are typically a great blend of sweet and salty, the bacon somehow detracted from this one. The bacon was on the inside under the corn batter, so it was soggy and chewy. A standard corn dog is recommended in lieu of the bacon-wrapped version.

Vendor: Mustard's Cafe

Price: $9

4. Indian taco

An Indian Taco from Teepee Village Frybread at the Arizona State Fair food drive-thru event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix on Sept. 25, 2020. Hundreds of cars were lined up, waiting over an hour get their favorite fair food. The event runs Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4, from noon-9 p.m.

(Photo: David Wallace/The Republic)

It's hard to beat fresh frybread, and this part of the plate was surely delicious, but the bean and chili meat toppings on this taco lack a little spice. If you order this, maybe pack some hot sauce in your car to add on top.

Vendor: Teepee Village Frybread

Price: $13

3. Flaming Hot Cheetos pizza

Juana Perez of Phoenix, holds up a slice of Flaming Hot Cheetos Pizza from Enzo's Pizza during the Arizona State Fair food drive-thru event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix on Sept. 25, 2020. Perez waited over an hour in her vehicle for the fair food. The event runs Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4, from noon-9 p.m.

(Photo: David Wallace/The Republic)

This is just a cheese pizza with loose Flaming Hot Cheetos dumped on top, but it really hits the spot. It also tastes extra delicious because it is the first item you can order after waiting in line for hours.

Vendor: Enzo's Pizza

Price: $7

2. Nutella funnel cake

A Nutella Funnel Cake at the Arizona State Fair food drive-thru event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix on Sept. 25, 2020. Hundreds of cars were lined up, waiting over an hour get their favorite fair food. The event runs Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4, from noon-9 p.m.

(Photo: David Wallace/The Republic)

Soft and fluffy funnel cake topped with Nutella sauce, powdered sugar and whipped cream is hard to beat. This funnel cake was light, airy and not too greasy.

Vendor: Dutchmen's Funnel Cake

Price: $11

1. Deep-fried snickers

A Deep Fried Snickers Bar from "Fried a Fair" at the Arizona State Fair food drive-thru event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix on Sept. 25, 2020. Hundreds of cars were lined up, waiting over an hour get their favorite fair food. The event runs Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4, from noon-9 p.m.

(Photo: David Wallace/The Republic)

A deep-fried Snickers isn't anything new, but there's a reason it's an old favorite. This melty Snickers is surrounded by sweet, cakey batter and topped with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar. Don't skip this one.

Vendor: Fried A Fair

Price: $6

Overall, if you're bored and looking for fill the fried food shaped void in your life and want to spend a few hours in your car, head on over to the drive-thru. Just remember: Your clothes might smell like smoked meat if your car idles next to the turkey leg smoker for too long. I speak from experience.

Fair Food Drive-Thru

Dates: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 25-27 and Friday through Sunday, Oct. 2-4.

Time: Noon-9 p.m.

Where: Enter from 19th Avenue and Monte Vista.

More information: azstatefair.com/drivethrufairfood/.

Reach the reporter at Shaena.Montanari@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @DrShaena.

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